Jail for boss of care home who abused residents

A CARE home boss who ill-treated and sexually assaulted vulnerable residents claimed his behaviour was "just banter".

- By DAVID HUNTLEY

William Malcolm was a registered nurse and boss at a residential care home when he committed offences against four residents who needed full-time support due to mental health issues.

He also sexually assaulted three other women who were not residents and racially harassed a colleague.

The 61-year-old, of West Hope Close, South Shields, known as Bill, denied the charges but a jury at Newcastle Crown Court unanimously convicted him of 10 charges of sexual assault, two of ill-treating a person in care and one racially aggravated harassment. Yesterday, Malcolm returned to the court to be sentenced.

Anne Richardson, prosecuting, said Malcolm's offending came to light after two whistleblowers came forward.

She said some of his victims "lacked capacity due to physical or mental health difficulties". One person was schizophrenic with learning difficulties who suffered from weight issues.

Ms Richardson said: "They were encouraged to eat a balanced diet. The defendant called him inappropriate names like 'fat f*****' and 'fat c***'."